by Ruff, K. S.
“Yes,” I moaned. My hands clenched against the nape of his neck when our hips met. He’d buried himself to the hilt. I loved how thick he was, how tight everything felt when he was buried inside of me.
He pulled back and thrust. Hard. The air rushed from my lungs as my back hit the door. “Don’t let go,” he demanded gruffly. I whimpered softly. I was holding on by a thread, and it was already unraveling.
Rafael released my hips. He caressed my breasts and thrust. Every stroke was deep and slow. I reached for his face and dragged his lips toward mine. Our tongues tangled in a sultry kiss. He drove inside of me again.
I moaned wantonly when he latched onto my neck. He thrust hard and fast. A scream percolated in my chest. He pinched my nipples and slammed deep inside of me. Every cell in my body exploded. We clung to each other as he pulsed inside of me. “Thank you,” I finally whispered into his dampened skin.
He laughed. “Don’t thank me yet. We’ve still got the counter, the wall, and the floor.”
* * * * *
“How did the training go?” Dr. Sandstrom asked. He was sifting through the end-of-course surveys.
“Good,” I replied. “I think the course was a little more intense than the students anticipated, but it was empowering. Not only did we increase the students’ awareness of the risks they could face in peacebuilding, but we’ve strengthened their ability to survive and cope with those threats.”
Shae took a sip of Diet Coke. “I’m really pleased with the reviews. Our speakers were very well received. Cenia and Kadyn did a phenomenal job with the SERE training. I’m glad Rafael recruited Chance and Jase to help with the self-defense training. Given the size of our class, I don’t think a single instructor would have been enough.”
Dr. Sandstrom looked contemplative as he leaned back in his chair. “Let’s make sure we have three instructors for that self-defense training for future course offerings then.”
“I think the simulation was very effective. We received a lot of good feedback on the risk assessment tool and the template for the personal security plans,” I added.
“I think you two did a fantastic job. You received very high marks on these end-of-course surveys.” Dr. Sandstrom flipped through the documents again. “This feedback has left me questioning whether we should offer this course twice a year.”
Shae twisted the lid back onto her Diet Coke. “I think we should.”
“Me too,” I agreed. “If we offer the course twice a year, the class size may decrease, which would give students more hands on training in the self-defense portion of the class.”
Dr. Sandstrom smiled. “Consider it done. So, how does it feel?”
“How does what feel?” Shae asked.
Dr. Sandstrom’s bright blue eyes softened. “You took a horrific experience and transformed it into something good.”
Shae and I exchanged glances. A nearly identical smile spread across our faces. “It feels good,” I replied.
* * * * *
I didn’t have to count my dance steps anymore. Kadyn and I had progressed enough to where we could carry on a conversation while he spun me around the dance floor. I was trying not to listen to the music. I’d already heard Alison Krauss and Louis Armstrong croon so many times, both songs made me want to gouge my ears out. “Are you dating anyone?” I asked, seeking a distraction.
Kadyn stumbled but quickly regained his balance. He glanced at me uncertainly before responding. “I’ve dated a couple of women over the past few months but no one worth mentioning.”
I quickly chastised my envious heart. I wanted Kadyn to be happy. Somehow, despite all the twists and turns our relationship had taken, he had become my most cherished friend. He deserved to be happy. I should encourage him to move on. Still, my mouth stubbornly refused to do so.
Kadyn maneuvered me around Cenia and Roger. “Why do you ask?”
I bit my bottom lip as I sorted through how best to respond. “I was wondering if you were bringing a date to the wedding.”
“Are you?” he asked.
I forced myself to meet his gaze. “No. Rafael is traveling to Paris while we’re in McAllen for Cenia’s wedding. He needs to meet with the mayor and the property owners in the community where Michael’s house is located. I’m not ready to see Michael’s house, so Rafael scheduled his meeting for the same week as the wedding.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “Are you selling the house?”
I shook my head. “We’re trying to convert it into a temporary safe house for political refugees, but we need the mayor and the other homeowners’ consent.”
Kadyn stopped dancing. He looked… stunned.
Katia and Anton chose that moment to switch partners and dance with us. Eventually, Anton returned me to Kadyn’s arms.
“Miss me?” I asked with a playful smirk.
“Yes,” he responded drily. He seemed no fonder of Katia than I was of Anton. “I’m not bringing a date.”
My smile widened. “Will you be my date then?”
He nodded. Once. I was expecting a smile, but that stoic look remained on his face. “Will Rafael be sending a bodyguard?”
“He agreed not to send Jase if I promised to stay close to you,” I confessed. That conversation sparked a rather lengthy debate, but Rafael eventually agreed that Kadyn, Cenia, and Roger were capable of watching over me… both individually and collectively.
Kadyn sighed. “Sometimes I wish he didn’t trust me so much.”
I shot him an incredulous look. “Why?”
“Because it obligates me to maintain that trust, even when I’d prefer to act less honorably,” he replied.
I swallowed nervously.
“Do you ever wonder why people, men in particular, are drawn to you?” he asked.
“Yes,” I admitted cautiously. I was too worried about the previous statement to grasp the sudden change of topic.
His eyes softened. “It’s all the good that you do. You’re one of those people who balance out all the bad in this world. Hope emanates from you, like a warm fire brightening an otherwise depressing room.”
My feet stalled, right along with my heart.
Kadyn cradled my face in his hands. He stared into my eyes until the room fell away. Then he quietly walked away.
* * * * *
I ran into Shae in the hallway. “Our team has officially arrived in India,” I announced.
She followed me into the break room. “Have they picked up their SIM cards?”
I nodded. “Brogan’s already driving Sammi nuts. Evidently, he cleared out the ladies room at the Indira Ghandi International Airport before allowing her to enter. I told her she was lucky he didn’t follow her into the stall.”
Shae laughed. “That was really nice of Brogan and Aidan to serve as their bodyguards on such short notice.”
I scooped coffee into the filter, filled the reservoir with water, and set the coffee maker to brew. “Rafael told me his men prefer to work in the United States, so I was a little surprised they accepted this assignment. I really hope this works out well… for everyone. It would be nice to work with Rafael’s security team on a more permanent basis.”
Shae pulled a Diet Coke out of the refrigerator. She twisted the cap off and took a swig from the bottle. “I’m anxious to hear how they perform in the training. They didn’t have much time to prepare for that presentation.”
I dropped into a chair at the table to wait for the coffee to finish brewing. My fingernails tapped impatiently against the side of my cup. “We’ll find out soon enough. They were able to secure Internet access at the hotel, so they can pull us into their debriefings through Skype. We’re lucky the time difference works in our favor. They’ll be wrapping up their first day of training around eight o’clock tomorrow morning, our time.”
Shae slid into the chair next to me. “Have you decided if you’re going on the next assignment?” We had just firmed up the dates for our training in Rwanda.
I was dying to go to Afr
ica, but I wasn’t sure I was ready for another trip. I wondered if I’d ever be ready. “I haven’t decided yet. Why? Are you going?”
She nodded. “I think the longer we wait to jump back into these trainings, the harder it’s going to be.”
The coffee maker beeped. I returned to the counter so I could fill my cup. “Rafael said he’ll support my decision either way, but if I go, he’s going with me.”
“Chance said the same thing,” she responded softly.
I joined her back at the table. “How are things going between the two of you?”
She spun the clear plastic top from her soda bottle in the center of the table. “I’m afraid he’s growing on me.”
The bottle cap ground to a stop when I clasped her hand. I waited for her to look at me. “That’s a good thing, right?”
Tears pricked at her eyes. “I don’t know. What am I supposed to tell Konstantin? He’s going to be here in two weeks.”
“Are you in love with Konstantin?” I asked.
“Yes… No… Maybe…” She offered me a tortured look. “His lifestyle scares me.”
I squeezed her hand. “How do you feel about Chance?”
We both jumped when Chance and Jase burst into the room. “We need to leave. Now,” Chance gritted through clenched teeth. He grabbed Shae by the arm.
Jase dumped me out of my chair. I instinctively reached for my coffee. “What’s going on?”
“Leave the coffee,” he growled. He turned the coffee maker off. “You’ve got five minutes to grab everything you need. You’ll be working at home for the next few days.”
My heart refused to beat.
“Is it the SVR?” Shae inquired shakily.
Chance continued tugging her down the hall. “Al Qaeda has called for attacks against government workers in DC. They’re urging jihadists to massacre government workers, to open fire on crowded restaurants.”
Jase nudged me toward my office.
“But we’re not government workers,” I protested. I shut down my computer, shoved a couple of files into my briefcase, and reached for my purse.
Jase glanced at his watch. He was wearing one of those bulky military grade watches that could withstand sandstorms, hurricanes, and heavy artillery. “You’re surrounded by government offices. You’ve got a coffee shop located in the front of this building and restaurants on either side of you, all of which are frequented by government workers. Rafael wants you out of here. Now.”
Shae joined us in the hallway. “What about the rest of the employees?”
“I’ve already spoken to Paul. He’s authorized everyone to work from home for the next three days. Alyssa is notifying the other employees,” Jase replied.
“We’ll have a much better understanding of the security threat by then,” Chance added as we began walking toward the lobby. He was carrying Shae’s laptop.
Shae’s hands were shaking, as were mine. “You can come over to my place,” I told Shae. “Why don’t you pack an overnight bag and bring enough clothes to stay a few nights? We’ll feel better if we’re together.” I glanced at Chance and Jase. “You guys are welcome to stay too.” I fingered my cell phone. I was dying to call Cenia and Kadyn to invite them to do the same. I felt this overwhelming need to keep everyone I cared about physically close to me.
Shae offered me a tremulous smile as we stepped out of the office. “Should I bring my Scrabble board?”
I nearly wept over the request that was so undeniably Shae. I wrapped my arm around her as we walked by the coffee shop. “You should definitely bring your Scrabble board.”
* * * * *
The doorbell chimed. Rafael smiled at me from across the kitchen. “I’ll get it.”
Jase started opening the umpteen bottles of wine Rafael had deposited on the counter.
I returned my attention to the stove. I was tossing fresh ground pepper and Italian parsley into my clam linguine. Chance was standing next to me. Shae was sitting on the counter next to him. Both were sampling the Penne Rustica he had just pulled from the oven.
“That tastes amazing,” Shae hummed appreciatively.
Chance offered me a forkful. He’d been laboring over the pasta for over an hour.
I took a bite and smiled. “You are an amazing cook, my friend.”
Cenia, Roger, and Kadyn followed Rafael into the kitchen. “I thought I smelled clam linguine,” Kadyn said. He set a twelve pack of Sprite inside the refrigerator and placed the loaf of French bread on the counter next to me.
I kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you for coming.”
“Here’s the spaghetti,” Cenia announced. She set the pot on the stove.
The doorbell rang again. Rafael turned right back around to answer it. Brady, Ethan, and Ethan’s wife, Dakota, followed Rafael back into the kitchen.
“Oh my God! You’re walking!” I exclaimed. I bolted across the kitchen and threw my arms around Ethan and Brady. I gave Dakota a hug, carefully maneuvering around the casserole dish she was carrying.
Dakota offered a shy smile. “Can I put this in the oven? I’m afraid the dish may have cooled during the drive over here.”
I opened the oven door. “Sure. What did you decide to make?”
“Delilah’s Seven Cheese Macaroni and Cheese,” she replied.
“Seven cheeses?” Shae gasped. “I’m definitely eating that. Wait! Why are you putting that in the oven?”
“You better save room for desert,” Marie announced as Rafael led her and Phil into the kitchen. “I made chocolate suicide cake.”
“And I made vanilla ice cream,” Phil added. He was holding two cartons of Breyer’s vanilla ice cream.
I couldn’t believe that every single one of my friends had indulged me in my request. Gabi and Mason were up in New York, Matt and Shawn were deployed, and Troy and Sara were stationed in Spain, so they weren’t able to join us.
“Is everyone sleeping over?” Rafael inquired. He was helping Jase pour the wine.
All eleven of our friends said “yes.”
I planted a kiss on Rafael’s cheek. “It’s a good thing we’ve got two houses. At some point, we should just knock out all the walls that separate us and make this one big house.”
“Where’s everyone sleeping?” Shae asked excitedly.
Rafael smiled. “Ethan and Dakota can sleep in my bed, Chance and Shae can sleep in the guest room, and Brady can sleep on the couch over at my place. Cenia, Roger, Phil, and Marie can have the guest rooms upstairs. Jase and Kadyn can sleep on air mattresses, unless they’d prefer to sleep on Kristine’s couch,” Rafael suggested. The large sectional couch would easily fit both men.
I pulled a Sprite from the refrigerator and handed it to Kadyn when Jase handed me a glass of wine.
“I’d like to propose a toast,” Rafael announced. “I know it seems like an odd time to throw a party, and this gathering was a bit unexpected, but we’ve got a number of government employees among us, and every single one of us works in DC. If nothing else, this Al Qaeda threat has reminded us how precious life is.” He wrapped his arm around me. “Each of you is precious to us. Thank you for being our friends.”
My eyes teared as our friends tapped their wine glasses against ours. I had never felt as blessed as I did in that moment.
* * * * *
I smoothed my hands down my black sheath dress and surveyed the food that I’d gathered for Cenia’s bridal shower. One counter held bacon wrapped dates, crab stuffed mushrooms, shrimp cocktail, and oysters on the half shell. The oysters were perched on top of a large tray filled with ice and thick wedges of lemon. The other counter held chocolate dipped strawberries, tiny dessert glasses filled with chocolate mousse, and the miniature key lime, lemon merengue, and dulce de leche pies I’d discovered at Silva’s French Patisserie in Vienna.
Rafael encouraged me to hire a bartender so I wouldn’t have to hassle with the mixed drinks. The bartender, Jean, was already setting up his work station over by the sun room. I had a nice selec
tion of wine and champagne on hand, but I thought a lingerie shower should offer something a little more risqué. Jean recommended a number of X-rated drinks to include Sex on the Beach, Between the Sheets, Screaming Orgasm, and Blow Job Shooters.
Rafael, Chance, and Jase were planning to hang out next door in case anyone needed a ride home.
The doorbell rang just as I set my iPod to shuffle through my jazz collection. I lit the candles on my way to the door. “Oh good! You’re the first one here,” I informed Cenia.
She gave me a hug. “Kri, these are my friends, Shelby and Trena.”
I smiled. “You’re the other bridesmaids! I’m so glad you could make it.” I hugged them as they stepped inside. “When did you guys arrive?”
“I flew in from Colorado this morning,” Shelby replied. “We picked Trena up from the airport on our way over here.” Shelby had long brown hair and soft brown eyes, framed by the prettiest eyelashes I’d ever seen. Trena had stunning green eyes and curly blond hair that fell just below her shoulders.
Cenia started giggling when Trena eyed my neck.
“I’ve issued a moratorium on hickies,” I admitted sheepishly. I went to close the door, but I caught a glimpse of Marie and Gabi walking up the sidewalk. I looked at Cenia. “Are you ready for your first surprise?” I hadn’t told her Gabi was coming.
Cenia poked her head outside. “Gabi? Is that you?” We hadn’t seen her for over five months, ever since she and Mason moved to New York.
“The one and only,” Gabi replied. She kissed Cenia on the cheek.
“Would you look at the size of that ring?” I gasped, staring at Gabi’s hand.
Gabi kissed me on the cheek. “What? This little thing?” She batted her eyelashes at me.
Cenia grabbed her hand. “That’s got to be two carats at least!”
“With everything that man put me through with the whole ‘not dating’ thing, I think that was the least he could do,” Gabi replied with a wink.
Marie gave me a hug while Cenia introduced everyone. I nudged the group toward the kitchen and explained the drink options.